$21.4-Million Contract Awarded for Litton Project

Litton Industries’ Data Systems division plant in Moorpark will help upgrade a tactical air-operations control system under a $21.4-million contract awarded by the Air Force.

The award continues a project begun in 1993 to improve an operations system that has cost more than $1.2 billion. Total funding for the upgrade project now stands at nearly $185 million.

Under options that will be in force through calendar year 2000, the upgrades could add another $65 million in revenues for Litton.

The Moorpark plant, a unit of the Litton division based in Agoura Hills, has 400 employees. No additional hiring is planned in connection with the award.

Litton is the prime contractor on the control system, called Modular Control Equipment. The system is undergoing a long-term program to expand its capabilities to meet changes in tactical requirements and technology.

The system controls friendly aircraft during tactical air missions. It is used for such purposes as interception of hostile aircraft, traffic control and search and rescue.

The modular control system was used in the Gulf War and has recently been used by North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Initial deliveries of the units being upgraded in Moorpark are planned for early 1997.

The units will have expanded communications capabilities, including integration with an information system currently used by U.S. and allied air forces.

Litton Industries, the parent company, has its headquarters in Woodland Hills.